Baywood Hotels Combining History and Moderism in New Home2
Suites by Hilton®
in Historic San Antonio
Property Near River Walk

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (September 9,
2010) – Home2 Suites by Hilton, the
newest and fastest growing brand in the history of the Hilton Worldwide
portfolio of brands, announced yesterday it will build its third U.S.
property
in San Antonio. The new Home2 Suites, a mid-tier, extended-stay
hotel
targeting budget-conscious business and leisure travelers, will be
built inside
the South Texas Building,
also known historically as the Central Trust Company Building.
Construction has already begun on the four-story, 120-suite hotel,
which is the
brand’s first retrofit project. The majority of Home2 Suites will
be new
builds. Homes2 Suites executives joined with community leaders
yesterday to
celebrate the first Texas location for Home2 Suites.

The property is owned and will be
developed and managed by Baywood Hotels, one of the fastest growing
hotel
management and development companies in the country. The hotel is
projected to open and two additional Home2 Suites are set to break
ground in San Antonio next year.

“We jumped at the chance to introduce
Home2 Suites to the Texas
market,” said Susana Garcia, regional director of sales for Baywood
Hotels.
“The South Texas building is a beautiful
structure and we plan to maintain the integrity of the building’s
exterior
while breathing new life into the interior.”

Located at 603 Navarro Street in San Antonio’s central business
district, this Beaux Arts Style
commercial/office building was opened in 1919 and is significant
because of its
uncommon style and its association with Sanguinet and Staats – one of
Texas’ most prestigious,
early twentieth century architectural firms. The hotel’s
proximity to the
San Antonio River Walk will provide convenient access for tourists and
business
travelers alike.

“We are extremely confident in
the success of this brand,” said Bill Duncan, global head, brand
management,
Home2 Suites by Hilton. “This particular Home2 Suites location is
unique in
that it is being developed in a building listed on the National
Register of
Historic Places. We believe the combination of history and
modernism in
this hotel will especially appeal to visitors of San Antonio.”

“The San Antonio Conservation Society
is pleased to see the historic Central
Trust Company
Building, more recently known as the South Texas Building, revitalized
and adapted to a new use,” said Rollette Schreckenghost, president of
the San
Antonio Conservation Society. “Completed in 1919, it was the tallest
building
in our city at that time.”

Amenities will include an indoor
saline pool, the Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items, an integrated guest
laundry
and fitness room, and innovative meeting and social gathering
spaces. The
property features The Oasis, an industry-leading expanded community
space that
includes communal and individual work zones, wireless access, a 52”
flat-screen
TV and a complimentary breakfast service area that provides one of the
most expansive
continental breakfasts in this segment of the hospitality
industry. The
Oasis encourages a social environment where guests can obtain
information on
the local area, check e-mail and connect with others.

Guest rooms will provide separate
living and bedroom zones, as well as a fully accessorized kitchen
containing a
refrigerator/freezer with icemaker, dishwasher, microwave/convection
oven and
coffee maker. The living area has a queen-size sofa/sleeper,
42-inch
flat-screen TV, roll-around ottoman, ambient and task lighting and “hip
and
humble” brand artwork. All guest rooms include the proprietary
Home2
Suites “working wall” that incorporates the kitchen and flexible
working space
with a moveable desk, room to spread out and display work or mementos
from home,
and adaptable storage options.

The Home2 Suites brand is committed to
environmentally conscious practices. In addition to recycling
throughout
the hotel, features include low flow showers and faucets, biodegradable
food
trays, CFL lightbulbs, dual flush toilets, recycled flooring, Energy
Star
appliances, carpet and surfaces made from recycled product and other
sustainable product selections.

About
Home2 Suites by Hilton
Home2
Suites by Hilton, the newest addition to the Hilton Worldwide portfolio
of
brands, is a mid-tier, extended-stay hotel concept designed to offer
stylish
accommodations, flexible guest room configurations and inspired
amenities for
the cost-conscious guest. As the fastest growing brand in the
history of
Hilton Worldwide, Memphis, Tenn-based Home2 Suites offers a
complimentary
breakfast selection; innovative and customizable guest room design;
combination
laundry and fitness area; complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access; multiple
outdoor
spaces; 24-hour business center; expansive community spaces; and a
commitment
to environmentally friendly products and hotel operations. For more
information
about Home2 Suites by Hilton visit http://www.home2suites.com/.
For information on
franchising opportunities, visit http://www.home2franchise.com/.

About Hilton
Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is
the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector
from
luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and
mid-priced hotels. For 91 years, Hilton Worldwide has been
offering
business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service,
amenities
and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition
of
providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands.
Its
brands are comprised of more than 3,600 hotels and 600,000 rooms in 81
countries and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad
Hotels &
Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Doubletree, Embassy Suites
Hotels, Hilton
Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by
Hilton
and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the
world-class
guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. For more information
about the
company, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.